“I’ve been around a basketball for as long as I can remember,” Catherine Leonard said. Leonard has been in many athletics throughout her life including basketball, volleyball and softball. Basketball has always been her favorite. “I love the competitive side, the team aspect is fun too,” Leonard said. Both of Leonard’s parents were college athletes, so they pushed her to do big things. “My first memory is of fourth grade basketball with my coach Tommy McLaren,” Leonard said.

As a young girl Leonard dreamed big of being a nurse or doctor. After high school, Leonard is going to Mount Marty, a liberal arts school in Yankton, South Dakota. “I always wanted to be a doctor or a nurse growing up, then I job shadowed a local nurse anesthetist and thought it would be something I’m interested in doing,” Leonard said.

Leonard lives with her father David, brothers Scott and Thomas, sister Mary, and her Great Dane Ferguson. She looks up to her father. “My dad has always been there for me. He pushes me to be my best both on and off the court. He supports me no matter what,” Leonard said.

Leonard lived in Vermillion, South Dakota until she was in the fourth grade. “I went to St. Agnes Catholic School. We moved here to be closer to family. My dad grew up here, and his brother and mom live here,” Leonard said.

Leonard is very proud of her many accomplishments throughout her life such as her GPA, making straight A’s and playing on Atlantic’s softball team on their journey to State for the first time in Atlantic history. Leonard said, “I wish would’ve gone out for softball all four years of high school. I went out last year and absolutely loved it.” Leonard wants to be remembered through the halls as, “a nice girl who works hard, but with a little bit of sass.”